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Horizon BCBSNJ
Uniform Medical Policy ManualSection:Pathology
Policy Number:134
Effective Date: 08/27/2016
Original Policy Date:07/26/2016
Last Review Date:07/14/2020
Date Published to Web: 07/26/2016
Subject:
Proteogenomic Testing for Patients With Cancer

Description:
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IMPORTANT NOTE:

The purpose of this policy is to provide general information applicable to the administration of health benefits that Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Horizon Healthcare of New Jersey, Inc. (collectively “Horizon BCBSNJ”) insures or administers. If the member’s contract benefits differ from the medical policy, the contract prevails. Although a service, supply or procedure may be medically necessary, it may be subject to limitations and/or exclusions under a member’s benefit plan. If a service, supply or procedure is not covered and the member proceeds to obtain the service, supply or procedure, the member may be responsible for the cost. Decisions regarding treatment and treatment plans are the responsibility of the physician. This policy is not intended to direct the course of clinical care a physician provides to a member, and it does not replace a physician’s independent professional clinical judgment or duty to exercise special knowledge and skill in the treatment of Horizon BCBSNJ members. Horizon BCBSNJ is not responsible for, does not provide, and does not hold itself out as a provider of medical care. The physician remains responsible for the quality and type of health care services provided to a Horizon BCBSNJ member.

Horizon BCBSNJ medical policies do not constitute medical advice, authorization, certification, approval, explanation of benefits, offer of coverage, contract or guarantee of payment.

__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Proteogenomics refers to the integration of genomic information with proteomic and transcriptomic information to provide a more complete picture of genome function. The current focus of proteogenomics is primarily on the diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive potential of proteogenomics in various cancers. One commercial proteogenomic test is available, the GPS Cancer test.

Populations
Interventions
Comparators
Outcomes
Individuals:
  • With cancer and indications for genetic testing
Interventions of interest are:
  • Proteogenomic testing (e.g., GPS Cancer test)
Comparators of interest are:
  • Standard genetic testing
  • Alternative methods of proteomic, transcriptomic, and genomic testing
Relevant outcomes include:
  • Overall survival
  • Disease-specific survival
  • Test accuracy
  • Test validity
  • Treatment-related mortality
  • Treatment-related morbidity

Background

This policy provides an overview of the emerging field of proteogenomics, with an emphasis on the currently available proteogenomic test, GPS Cancer test. In addition to focusing on the GPS Cancer test, this policy describes and outlines types of proteogenomic research currently reported in the literature and that have potential clinical applications.

Proteogenomics

The term proteome refers to the entire complement of proteins produced by an organism or cellular system, and proteomics refers to the large-scale comprehensive study of a specific proteome. Similarly, the term transcriptome refers to the entire complement of transcription products (messenger RNAs), and transcriptomics refers to the study of a specific transcriptome. Proteogenomics refers to the integration of genomic information with proteomic and transcriptomic information to provide a more complete picture of the function of the genome.

A system's proteome is related to its genome and genomic alterations. However, while the genome is relatively static over time, the proteome is more dynamic and may vary over time and/or in response to selected stressors.1,2,Proteins undergo a number of modifications as part of normal physiologic processes. Following protein translation, modifications occur by splicing events, alternative folding mechanisms, and incorporation into larger complexes and signaling networks. These modifications are linked to protein function and result in functional differences that occur by location and over time.2,

Some of the main potential applications of proteogenomics in medicine include:

    • Identifying biomarkers for diagnostic, prognostic, and predictive purposes
    • Detecting cancer by proteomic profiles or "signatures"
    • Quantitating levels of proteins and monitoring levels over time for:
        • Cancer activity
        • Early identification of resistance to targeted tumor therapy
    • Correlating protein profiles with disease states.
Proteogenomics is an extremely complex field due to the intricacies of protein architecture and function, the many potential proteomic targets that can be measured, and the numerous testing methods used. Types of targets currently being investigated and the testing methods used and under development next are discussed briefly herein.

Proteomic Targets

A proteomic target can be any altered protein that results from a genetic variant.3, Protein alterations can result from germline and somatic genetic variants. Altered protein products include mutated proteins, fusion proteins, alternative splice variants, noncoding messenger RNAs, and posttranslational modifications (PTMs).

Mutated Protein (Sequence Alterations)

A mutated protein has an altered amino acid sequence that arises from a genetic variant. A single amino acid may be replaced in a protein or multiple amino acids in the sequence may be affected.3, Mutated proteins can arise from germline or somatic genetic variants. Somatic variants can be differentiated from germline variants by comparison with normal and diseased tissue.

Fusion Proteins

Fusion proteins are the product of 1 or more genes that fuse together. Most fusion genes discovered have been oncogenic, and fusion genes have been shown to have clinical relevance in a variety of cancers.

Alternative Splice Events

Posttranslational enzymatic splicing of proteins results in numerous protein isoforms. Alternative splicing events can lead to abnormal protein isoforms with altered function. Some alternative splicing events have been associated with tumor-specific variants.3,

Noncoding RNAs

Noncoding portions of the genome serve as the template for noncoding RNA (ncRNA), which plays various roles in the regulation of gene expression. There are 2 classes of ncRNA: shorter ncRNAs, which include microRNAs and related transcript products, and longer ncRNAs, which are thought to be involved in cancer progression.3,

Posttranslational Modifications

PTMs of histone proteins occur in normal cells and are genetically regulated. Histone proteins are found in the nuclei and play a role in gene regulation by structuring the DNA into nucleosomes. A nucleosome is composed of a histone protein core surrounded by DNA. Nucleosomes are assembled into chromatin fibers composed of multiple nucleosomes assembled in a specific pattern. PTMs of histone proteins include a variety of mechanisms, including methylation, acetylation, phosphorylation, glycosylation, and related modifications.4,

Proteogenomic Testing Methods

Proteogenomic testing involves isolating, separating, and characterizing proteins from biologic samples, followed by correlation with genomic and transcriptomic data.1,Isolation of proteins is accomplished by trypsin digestion and solubilization. The soluble mix of protein isolates is then separated into individual proteins. This is generally done in multiple stages using high-performance liquid chromatography ion-exchange chromatography, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and related methods. Once individual proteins are obtained, they may be characterized using various methods and parameters, some of which we describe below. There is literature addressing the analytic validity of these testing techniques.5,6,

Immunohistochemistry and Fluorescence in situ Hybridization

Immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization are standard techniques for isolating and characterizing proteins. IHC identifies proteins by using specific antibodies that bind to the protein. Therefore, this technique can only be used for known proteins and protein variants because it relies on the availability of a specific antibody. This technique also can only test a relatively small number of samples at once.

There are a number of reasons why IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization are not well-suited for large-scale proteomic research. They are semiquantitative techniques and involve subjective interpretation. They are considered low-throughput assays that are time-consuming and expensive and require a relatively large tissue sample. Some advances in IHC and fluorescence in situ hybridization have addressed these limitations, including tissue microarray and reverse phase protein array.

    • Tissue microarrays can be constructed that enable simultaneous analysis of up to 1000 tissue samples.4,
    • Reverse phase protein array, a variation on tissue microarrays, allows for a large number of proteins to be quantitated simultaneously.
Mass Spectrometry

Mass spectrometry (MS) separates molecules by their mass to charge ratio and has been used as a research tool for studying proteins for many years.1, Development of technology that led to the application of MS to biologic samples has advanced the field of proteogenomics rapidly. However, the application of MS to clinical medicine is in its formative stages. There are currently several types of mass spectrometers and a lack of standardization in the testing methods.4,Additionally, MS equipment is expensive and currently largely restricted to tertiary research centers.

The potential utility of MS lies in its ability to provide a wide range of proteomic information efficiently, including:

    • Identification of altered proteins;
    • Delineation of protein or peptide profiles for a given tissue sample;
    • Amino acid sequencing of proteins or peptides;
    • Quantitation of protein levels;
    • 3-dimensional protein structure and architecture; and
    • Identification of PTMs.
MS Sampling Applications

"Top-down" MS refers to identification and characterization of all proteins in a sample without prior knowledge of which proteins are present.2, This method provides a profile of all proteins in a system, including documentation of PTMs and other protein isoforms. This method, therefore, provides a protein "profile" or "map" of a specific system. Following initial analysis, intact proteins can be isolated and further analyzed to determine amino acid sequences and related information.

"Bottom-up" MS refers to the identification of known proteins in a sample. This method identifies peptide fragments that indicate the presence of a specific protein. This method depends on having peptide fragments that can reliably identify a specific protein. Selective reaction monitoring MS is a bottom-up modification of MS that allows for direct quantification and specific identification of low-abundance proteins without the need for specific antibodies.4, This method requires the selection of a peptide fragment or "signature" that is used to target the specific protein. Multiplex assays have also been developed to quantitate the epidermal growth factor receptor, human epidermal growth factor receptors 2 and 3, and insulin-like growth factor-1 receptor.7,

Bioinformatics

Due to the complexity of proteomic information, the multiple tests used, and the need to integrate this information with other genomic data, a bioinformatics approach is necessary to interpret proteogenomic data. Software programs integrate and assist in the interpretation of the vast amounts of data generated by proteogenomics research. One software platform that integrates genomic and proteomic information is PARADIGM, which is used by The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) project for data analysis.8, Other software tools currently available include3,:

    • The Genome Peptide Finder matches the amino acid sequence of peptides predicted de novo with the genome sequence.9,
    • The Proteogenomic Mapping Tool is an academic software for mapping peptides to the genome.10,
    • Peppy is an automated search tool that generates proteogenomic data from translated databases and integrates this information for analysis.11,
    • VESPA is a software tool that integrates data from various platforms and provides a visual display of integrated data.12,
Ongoing Proteogenomic Database Projects

Table 1 lists some of the ongoing databases being constructed for proteogenomic research

There are also networks of researchers coordinating their activities in this field. The Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium is a coordinated project among 8 sites sponsored by the National Cancer Institute.13, This project seeks to characterize the genomic and transcriptomic profiles of common cancers systematically. This consortium has cataloged proteomic information for several types of cancers including breast, colon, and ovarian cancers. All project data are freely available.

Many existing genomic databases have begun to incorporate proteomic information. TCGA intends to profile changes in the genomes of 33 different cancers. As part of its analysis, messenger RNA expression is used to help define signaling pathways that are either upregulated or deregulated in conjunction with genetic variations. Currently, TCGA has published comprehensive molecular characterizations of multiple cancers, including breast,14, colorectal,8lung,15, gliomas,16, renal,17, and endometrial18, cancers.

Table 1. Proteogenomic Databases

NameDescription
Human Protein Reference Database19,20,Centralized platform integrating information related to protein structure alterations, posttranslational modifications, interaction networks, and disease association. The intent is to catalog this information for each protein in the human proteome. Data are compiled from published literature and publicly available databases.
Human Cancer Proteome Variation Database (CanProVar)21,Protein sequence database that integrates information from various publicly available datasets into 1 platform. Contains germline and somatic variants with an emphasis on cancer-related variants.
Cancer Mutant Proteome Database (CMPD)22,23,Protein sequence database compiled from the exome sequencing results of the NCI-60 cell lines, CCLE, and 5600 cases from TCGA network genomics studies. Contains germline and somatic variants with an emphasis on cancer-related variants.
The Synthetic Alternative Splicing Database (SASD)24,A comprehensive database of alternative splicing peptides and transcript products constructed from the Integrated Pathway Analysis Database
IncRNAtor25,Database of long noncoding RNA integrating data from multiple datasets including TCGA and ENCODE
CPTAC Data Portal13,26,27,Centralized data repository for proteomic data collected by Proteome Characterization Centers in the CPTAC. The portalhosts >6.3 TB of data and includes proteomics, transcriptomics, and genomics data of breast, colorectal, and ovarian tumor tissues from TCGA.

CCLE: Cancer Cell Line Encyclopedia; CPTAC: Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium; TCGA: The Cancer Genome Atlas.

GPS Cancer Test

The GPS Cancer test is a commercially available proteogenomic test intended for patients with cancer. The test includes whole-genome sequencing (20,000 genes, 3 billion base pairs), whole transcriptome (RNA) sequencing, and quantitative proteomics by mass spectrometry.28,The test is intended to inform personalized treatment decisions for cancer, and treatment options are provided when available, although treatment recommendations are not. Treatment options may include U.S. Food and Drug Administration-approved targeted drugs with potential for clinical benefit, active clinical trials of drugs with potential for clinical benefit, and/or available drugs to which cancer may be resistant.

Regulatory Status

Clinical laboratories may develop and validate tests in-house and market them as a laboratory service; laboratory-developed tests must meet the general regulatory standards of the Clinical Laboratory Improvement Act. The GPS Cancer™ test (NantHealth) is available under the auspices of Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments. Laboratories that offer laboratory-developed tests must be licensed by Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendments for high-complexity testing. To date, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has chosen not to require any regulatory review of this test.

Related Policies

  • None

Policy:
(For Medicare Advantage, please refer to the Medicare Coverage Section below for coverage guidance.)

Proteogenomic testing (see Policy Guidelines section) of members with cancer (including, but not limited to the GPS Cancer test) is considered investigational for all indications.


Policy Guidelines: (Information to guide medical necessity determination based on the criteria contained within the policy statements above.)

Proteogenomic testing involves the integration of proteomic, transcriptomic, and genomic information. Proteogenomic testing can be differentiated from proteomic testing, in that proteomic testing can refer to the measurement of protein products alone, without integration of genomic and transcriptomic information. When protein products alone are tested, this is not considered proteogenomic testing.

Genetics Nomenclature Update
The Human Genome Variation Society nomenclature is used to report information on variants found in DNA and serves as an international standard in DNA diagnostics. It is being implemented for genetic testing medical policy updates starting in 2017 (see Table PG1). The Society’s nomenclature is recommended by the Human Variome Project, the HUman Genome Organization, and by the Human Genome Variation Society itself.

The American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics and the Association for Molecular Pathology standards and guidelines for interpretation of sequence variants represent expert opinion from both organizations, in addition to the College of American Pathologists. These recommendations primarily apply to genetic tests used in clinical laboratories, including genotyping, single genes, panels, exomes, and genomes. Table PG2 shows the recommended standard terminology“pathogenic,” “likely pathogenic,” “uncertain significance,” “likely benign,” and “benign”to describe variants identified that cause Mendelian disorders.

Table PG1. Nomenclature to Report on Variants Found in DNA
Previous
Updated
Definition
MutationDisease-associated variantDisease-associated change in the DNA sequence
VariantChange in the DNA sequence
Familial variantDisease-associated variant identified in a proband for use in subsequent targeted genetic testing in first-degree relatives
Table PG2. ACMG-AMP Standards and Guidelines for Variant Classification
Variant Classification
Definition
PathogenicDisease-causing change in the DNA sequence
Likely pathogenicLikely disease-causing change in the DNA sequence
Variant of uncertain significanceChange in DNA sequence with uncertain effects on disease
Likely benignLikely benign change in the DNA sequence
BenignBenign change in the DNA sequence
ACMG: American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics; AMP: Association for Molecular Pathology.

Genetic Counseling
Experts recommend formal genetic counseling for patients who are at risk for inherited disorders and who wish to undergo genetic testing. Interpreting the results of genetic tests and understanding risk factors can be difficult for some patients; genetic counseling helps individuals understand the impact of genetic testing, including the possible effects the test results could have on the individual or their family members. It should be noted that genetic counseling may alter the utilization of genetic testing substantially and may reduce inappropriate testing; further, genetic counseling should be performed by an individual with experience and expertise in genetic medicine and genetic testing methods.


Medicare Coverage:
There is no National Coverage Determination (NCD) or Local Coverage Determination (LCD) for jurisdiction JL for this service. Therefore, Medicare Advantage will follow the Horizon BCBSNJ Medical Policy.

PROPRIETARY LABS (Labs that are the sole source for the diagnostic lab test)
For labs which are proprietary (that is, the sole source for the diagnostic lab test involved), Medicare Advantage Products will follow the Medicare Local Coverage Determination of the State where the proprietary lab is located.

[RATIONALE: This policy was created in 2016 and has been updated regularly with searches of the PubMed database. The most recent literature update was performed through April 1, 2020.

Evidence reviews assess whether a medical test is clinically useful. A useful test provides information to make a clinical management decision that improves the net health outcome. That is, the balance of benefits and harms is better when the test is used to manage the condition than when another test or no test is used to manage the condition.

The first step in assessing a medical test is to formulate the clinical context and purpose of the test. The test must be technically reliable, clinically valid, and clinically useful for that purpose. Evidence reviews assess the evidence on whether a test is clinically valid and clinically useful. Technical reliability is outside the scope of these reviews, and credible information on technical reliability is available from other sources.

Proteogenomic Testing
Clinical Context and Test Purpose

The purpose of proteogenomic testing in patients who have cancer is to detect cancer, improve evaluation of prognosis, select treatments, and monitor for treatment response or resistance.

The question addressed in this policy is: Does proteogenomic testing using the GPS Cancer test improve the net health outcome in individuals with cancer?

The following PICO was used to select literature to inform this policy.

Patients

The relevant population of interest is patients with cancer who have indications for genetic testing.

Interventions

The test being considered is the GPS Cancer, a commercially available proteogenomic test for patients with cancer.

Comparators

The following tests and practices are currently being used: standard clinical workup and genetic testing for cancer diagnosis and prognosis, and for monitoring response. Genetic testing using companion diagnostic tests for targeted therapies are generally used to select cancer treatments when targeted therapies are available.

Outcomes

The general outcomes of interest are overall survival and disease-specific survival. The harmful outcomes from a false-negative test result include delayed diagnosis or treatment; the harms from a false-positive test include incorrect or unnecessary additional treatment. The relevant duration of follow-up for survival outcomes varies by cancer type.

Technically Reliable

Assessment of technical reliability focuses on specific tests and operators and requires review of unpublished and often proprietary information. Review of specific tests, operators, and unpublished data are outside the scope of this policy, and alternative sources exist. This policy focuses on the clinical validity and clinical utility.

Clinically Valid

A test must detect the presence or absence of a condition, the risk of developing a condition in the future, or treatment response (beneficial or adverse).

Review of Evidence

No published literature was identified on the clinical validity of the GPS Cancer test. Also, searches of selected websites did not identify any data on clinical validity of the test.

The general published literature on the clinical validity of proteogenomics includes the following types of studies: proteomic biomarkers as prognostic markers, molecular characterization, and monitoring quantitative protein levels.

Proteomic Biomarkers as Prognostic Markers

Some researchers have compared proteogenomic results with clinical outcomes and assessed the strength of association between genomic and proteomic data.
Yau et al (2015) published a report comparing whether proteogenomic and genomic data can predict metastatic outcomes in breast cancer.
29, This study measured FOXM transcript messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and compared the prognostic ability with FOXM1 target genes and a gene proliferation score. Table 2 shows the results obtained for each test.

Table 2. Association of mRNA Expression With Breast Cancer Metastases
TestER PositiveER Negative
Hazard Ratio (95% CI)pHazard Ratio (95% CI)p
FOXM mRNA expression2.8 (2.0 to 3.8)8.1×10-101.6 (0.9 to 2.9)0.09
FOXM1 gene2.4 (1.7 to 3.4)4.2×10-71.2 (0.5 to 1.2)0.32
28-gene expression profile2.6 (1.9 to 3.6)1.1×10-81.3 (0.8 to 2.2)0.30

Adapted from Yau et al (2015).29,
CI: confidence interval; ER: estrogen receptor; mRNA: messenger RNA.

Zhang et al (2016) combined mass spectrometry-based proteomic measurements with genomic data of 174 ovarian tumors previously analyzed by The Cancer Genome Atlas.30, Copy number variants having high correlation with protein abundance or mRNA were found on chromosomes 2, 7, 20, and 22. A lasso-based Cox proportional hazards model was used to model the association between these copy number variants and overall survival on a training set of 82 tumors and then used to predict survival in 87 nonoverlapping tumors. A consensus of the 4 signatures was created, using a voting method, as a binary indicator for signature, relative level up vs down. The consensus indicator was highly associated with survival (hazard ratio not provided; p<0.001). Comparison to genomic stratification was not reported.

Defining Molecular Subtypes of Cancer

Comprehensive molecular characterization has been performed for various cancers, and in some cases, these investigations have defined subtypes that differ from standard histologic classification. Clinical validity can be demonstrated in this situation if the molecular subtypes are more homogeneous than the histologic class and correlate more closely with clinical outcomes.

An example of molecular subtyping of cancer by proteogenomics was published by The Cancer Genome Atlas network in 2015.16, This study integrated data from multiple platforms, including exome sequencing, DNA copy-number profiling, DNA methylation, and protein profiling by mass spectrometry. For each platform, clusters of similar cases were identified. Three distinct molecular subtypes were identified using second-level cluster analysis. They were most concordant with isocitrate dehydrogenase enzyme, 1p/19q, and TP53 genetic variant status. The molecular subtypes showed differences in clinical characteristics, recurrence, and survival that could not be explained by histologic class.

Monitoring Quantitative Protein Levels Over Time

Quantification of protein levels over time may have applications for determining resistance to targeted therapy. Levels of protein markers may correlate with the presence of resistant tumor cells and may be an early marker of resistance that occurs before tumor progression. Clinical validity can be demonstrated if quantitative protein levels identify resistance more accurately or earlier than other surveillance methods.

Currently, few studies have reported on monitoring protein levels over time. A case report, published in 2016, demonstrated that repeat quantitation of human epidermal growth factor receptors 2 and 3,as well as epidermal growth factor receptor proteins, was feasible and that protein levels changed in response to different therapies and over time.31,

More recently, Latonen et al (2018) generated distinct profiles from patient tissue samples of benign prostate hyperplasia (n=10), untreated prostate cancer (n=17), and locally recurrent castration-resistant prostate cancer (n=11), demonstrating changes in protein levels that may be associated with tumor progression.32,

Section Summary: Clinically Valid

There is no published evidence on the clinical validity of the GPS Cancer test and, therefore, the clinical validity of this test is undefined. For proteomic research in general, a few types of studies provided information on clinical validity. A small number of studies use proteogenomic biomarkers for diagnosis or prognosis and compare these biomarkers with traditional genomic testing. One study assessed whether proteomic data had potential to detect drug sensitivity. Other studies have performed comprehensive molecular characterization of different tumors and, in some cases, have shown that molecular characterization correlates more strongly with clinical outcomes than with histologic classification. The third type of study in the literature quantitates and monitors protein markers over time for surveillance purposes, particularly for the emergence of resistance to targeted cancer therapies. This available research on clinical validity outlines some types of research that will be needed to establish clinical validity for a variety of clinical situations. However, the research is currently in its early stages, and no conclusions on test validity can be drawn at present from the evidence.

Clinically Useful

A test is clinically useful if the use of the results informs management decisions that improve the net health outcome of care. The net health outcome can be improved if patients receive correct therapy, or more effective therapy, or avoid unnecessary therapy, or avoid unnecessary testing.

Review of Evidence
Direct Evidence

Direct evidence of clinical utility is provided by studies that have compared health outcomes for patients managed with and without the test. Because these are intervention studies, the preferred evidence would be from randomized controlled trials.

No direct evidence on clinical utility was identified. Therefore, the clinical utility of the GPS Cancer test is uncertain. For proteogenomic testing in general, there is no published literature on clinical utility.

Chain of Evidence

Indirect evidence on clinical utility rests on clinical validity. If the evidence is insufficient to demonstrate test performance, no inferences can be made about clinical utility.

Absent additional evidence establishing the clinical validity of proteogenomic testing; it will not be possible to determine whether clinical utility is present.

Section Summary: Clinically Useful

No direct evidence on clinical utility was identified. Therefore, no inferences can be made about clinical utility.

Summary of Evidence

For individuals who have cancer and indications for genetic testing who receive proteogenomic testing (eg, GPS Cancer test), the evidence includes cross-sectional studies that correlate results with standard testing and that report comprehensive molecular characterization of various cancers, and cohort studies that use proteogenomic markers to predict outcomes and that follow quantitative levels over time. Relevant outcomes are overall survival, disease-specific survival, test accuracy and validity, and treatment-related mortality and morbidity. There is no published evidence on the clinical validity or utility of the GPS Cancer test. For proteogenomic testing in general, the research is at an early stage. Very few studies have used proteogenomic tumor markers for diagnosis or prognosis, and at least 1 study has reported following quantitative protein levels for surveillance purposes. Further research is needed to standardize and validate proteogenomic testing methods. Once standardized and validated testing methods are available, the clinical validity and utility of proteogenomic testing can be adequately evaluated. The evidence is insufficient to determine the effect of the technology on health outcomes.

SUPPLEMENTAL INFORMATION
Practice Guidelines and Position Statements

No guidelines or statements were identified.

U.S. Preventive Services Task Force Recommendations

Not applicable.

Ongoing and Unpublished Clinical Trials

Some currently unpublished trials that might influence this policy are listed in Table 3.

Table 3. Summary of Key Trials
NCT No.Trial NamePlanned EnrollmentCompletion Date
Ongoing
NCT03073473aQuantitative Targeted Proteomics Detected by Mass Spectrometry With Whole Genome (DNA) and Whole Transcriptome (RNA) Sequencing in Advanced Cancers640Feb 2019*
NCT01840293Breast Cancer Proteomics and Molecular Heterogeneity1780Dec 2029

NCT: national clinical trial.
a
Denotes industry-sponsored or cosponsored trial.
*=Status: Terminated July 2018 due to poor accrual.
]
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Horizon BCBSNJ Medical Policy Development Process:

This Horizon BCBSNJ Medical Policy (the “Medical Policy”) has been developed by Horizon BCBSNJ’s Medical Policy Committee (the “Committee”) consistent with generally accepted standards of medical practice, and reflects Horizon BCBSNJ’s view of the subject health care services, supplies or procedures, and in what circumstances they are deemed to be medically necessary or experimental/ investigational in nature. This Medical Policy also considers whether and to what degree the subject health care services, supplies or procedures are clinically appropriate, in terms of type, frequency, extent, site and duration and if they are considered effective for the illnesses, injuries or diseases discussed. Where relevant, this Medical Policy considers whether the subject health care services, supplies or procedures are being requested primarily for the convenience of the covered person or the health care provider. It may also consider whether the services, supplies or procedures are more costly than an alternative service or sequence of services, supplies or procedures that are at least as likely to produce equivalent therapeutic or diagnostic results as to the diagnosis or treatment of the relevant illness, injury or disease. In reaching its conclusion regarding what it considers to be the generally accepted standards of medical practice, the Committee reviews and considers the following: all credible scientific evidence published in peer-reviewed medical literature generally recognized by the relevant medical community, physician and health care provider specialty society recommendations, the views of physicians and health care providers practicing in relevant clinical areas (including, but not limited to, the prevailing opinion within the appropriate specialty) and any other relevant factor as determined by applicable State and Federal laws and regulations.

___________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Index:
Proteogenomic Testing for Patients With Cancer
Proteogenomic Testing for Patients With Cancer (GPS Cancer™ Test)
GPS Cancer™ Test (Proteogenomic Testing for Patients With Cancer)

References:
1. National Cancer Institute OoCCPR. Background. n.d.; https://proteomics.cancer.gov/proteomics/background Accessed June 12, 2018.

2. Gregorich ZR, Ge Y. Top-down proteomics in health and disease: challenges and opportunities. Proteomics. May 2014;14(10):1195-1210. PMID 24723472

3. Subbannayya Y, Pinto SM, Gowda H, et al. Proteogenomics for understanding oncology: recent advances and future prospects. Expert Rev Proteomics. Mar 2016;13(3):297-308. PMID 26697917

4. Hudler P, Videtic Paska A, Komel R. Contemporary proteomic strategies for clinical epigenetic research and potential impact for the clinic. Expert Rev Proteomics. Apr 2015;12(2):197-212. PMID 25719543

5. Catenacci DV, Liao WL, Thyparambil S, et al. Absolute quantitation of Met using mass spectrometry for clinical application: assay precision, stability, and correlation with MET gene amplification in FFPE tumor tissue. PLoS One. Jul 1 2014;9(7):e100586. PMID 24983965

6. Catenacci DV, Liao WL, Zhao L, et al. Mass-spectrometry-based quantitation of Her2 in gastroesophageal tumor tissue: comparison to IHC and FISH. Gastric Cancer. Oct 2016;19(4):1066-1079. PMID 26581548

7. Hembrough T, Thyparambil S, Liao WL, et al. Application of selected reaction monitoring for multiplex quantification of clinically validated biomarkers in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tumor tissue. J Mol Diagn. Jul 2013;15(4):454-465. PMID 23672976

8. Cancer Genome Atlas Network. Comprehensive molecular characterization of human colon and rectal cancer. Nature. Jul 18 2012;487(7407):330-337. PMID 22810696

9. Specht M. Genomic Peptide Finder. 2012; http://specht.github.io/gpf/. Accessed May 31, 2018.

10. Sanders WS, Wang N, Bridges SM, et al. The proteogenomic mapping tool. BMC Bioinformatics. Apr 22 2011;12:115. PMID 21513508

11. Geneffects. Peppy proteogenomic, proteomic search tool. 2012; http://www.geneffects.com/peppy. Accessed May 31, 2018.

12. Pacific Northwest National Laboratory. VESPA. n.d.; http://cbb.pnnl.gov/portal/software/vespa.html. Accessed May 31, 2018.

13. Edwards NJ, Oberti M, Thangudu RR, et al. The CPTAC Data Portal: a resource for cancer proteomics research. J Proteome Res. Jun 5 2015;14(6):2707-2713. PMID 25873244

14. Cancer Genome Atlas Network. Comprehensive molecular portraits of human breast tumours. Nature. Oct 4 2012;490(7418):61-70. PMID 23000897

15. Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network. Comprehensive molecular profiling of lung adenocarcinoma. Nature. Jul 31 2014;511(7511):543-550. PMID 25079552

16. Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, Brat DJ, Verhaak RG, et al. Comprehensive, integrative genomic analysis of diffuse lower-grade gliomas. N Engl J Med. Jun 25 2015;372(26):2481-2498. PMID 26061751

17. Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, Linehan WM, Spellman PT, et al. Comprehensive molecular characterization of papillary renal-cell carcinoma. N Engl J Med. Jan 14 2016;374(2):135-145. PMID 26536169

18. Cancer Genome Atlas Research Network, Kandoth C, Schultz N, et al. Integrated genomic characterization of endometrial carcinoma. Nature. May 2 2013;497(7447):67-73. PMID 23636398

19. Pandey Lab and Institute of Bioinformatics. Human Protein Reference Database. n.d.; http://www.hprd.org/. Accessed May 31, 2018.

20. Keshava Prasad TS, Goel R, Kandasamy K, et al. Human Protein Reference Database--2009 update. Nucleic Acids Res. Jan 2009;37(Supp 1):D767-772. PMID 18988627

21. Li J, Duncan DT, Zhang B. CanProVar: a human cancer proteome variation database. Hum Mutat. Mar 2010;31(3):219-228. PMID 20052754

22. Chang Gung Bioinformatics Center. Cancer Mutant Proteome Database. 2014; http://120.126.1.62/cmpd/. Accessed May 31, 2018.

23. Huang PJ, Lee CC, Tan BC, et al. CMPD: cancer mutant proteome database. Nucleic Acids Res. Jan 2015;43(D1):D849-855. PMID 25398898

24. University of North Texas Health Science Center. Synthetic Alternative Splicing Database. 2013; http://bioinfo.hsc.unt.edu/sasd/. Accessed May 31, 2018.

25. EWHA Research Center for Systems Biology. IncRNAtor. n.d.; http://lncrnator.ewha.ac.kr/index.htm. Accessed May 31, 2018.

26. Rudnick PA, Markey SP, Roth J, et al. A description of the Clinical Proteomic Tumor Analysis Consortium (CPTAC) common data analysis pipeline. J Proteome Res. Mar 04 2016;15(3):1023-1032. PMID 26860878

27. Center for Strategic Scientific Initiatives. CPTAC Data Portal Overview. 2018; https://cptac-data- portal.georgetown.edu/cptacPublic/. Accessed May 31, 2018.

28. NantHealth. GPS Cancer. n.d.; http://nanthealth.com/gps-cancer/. Accessed May 31, 2018.

29. Yau C, Meyer L, Benz S, et al. FOXM1 cistrome predicts breast cancer metastatic outcome better than FOXM1 expression levels or tumor proliferation index. Breast Cancer Res Treat. Nov 2015;154(1):23-32. PMID 26456572

30. Zhang H, Liu T, Zhang Z, et al. Integrated proteogenomic characterization of human high-grade serous ovarian cancer. Cell. Jul 28 2016;166(3):755-765. PMID 27372738

31. Sellappan S, Blackler A, Liao WL, et al. Therapeutically induced changes in HER2, HER3, and EGFR protein expression for treatment guidance. J Natl Compr Canc Netw. May 2016;14(5):503-507. PMID 27160229

32. Latonen L, Afyounian E, Jylha A, et al. Integrative proteomics in prostate cancer uncovers robustness against genomic and transcriptomic aberrations during disease progression. Nat Commun. Mar 21 2018;9(1):1176. PMID 29563510


Codes:
(The list of codes is not intended to be all-inclusive and is included below for informational purposes only. Inclusion or exclusion of a procedure, diagnosis, drug or device code(s) does not constitute or imply authorization, certification, approval, offer of coverage or guarantee of payment.)

CPT*
    81479
HCPCS

* CPT only copyright 2020 American Medical Association. All rights reserved. CPT is a registered trademark of the American Medical Association.

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Medical policies can be highly technical and are designed for use by the Horizon BCBSNJ professional staff in making coverage determinations. Members referring to this policy should discuss it with their treating physician, and should refer to their specific benefit plan for the terms, conditions, limitations and exclusions of their coverage.

The Horizon BCBSNJ Medical Policy Manual is proprietary. It is to be used only as authorized by Horizon BCBSNJ and its affiliates. The contents of this Medical Policy are not to be copied, reproduced or circulated to other parties without the express written consent of Horizon BCBSNJ. The contents of this Medical Policy may be updated or changed without notice, unless otherwise required by law and/or regulation. However, benefit determinations are made in the context of medical policies existing at the time of the decision and are not subject to later revision as the result of a change in medical policy

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